Hilariously, this blog is a month late…true story!
And I wasn’t even consciously procrastinating, but that’s the thing…we sometimes don’t realise we’re doing it.
You know what needs done, Sinead.
You’ve blocked the time.
You’ve had the idea in your head for weeks.
And yet… the file’s still unopened (or the email isn’t sent).
Coaching Room Truth
I’ve lost count of how many brilliant women say this to me:
“I just need to get the thing started. Once I’m in, I’m flying. But the starting is like dragging myself through wet cement.”
Here’s what’s really going on:
It’s not a time management issue.
It’s not laziness.
It’s your saboteurs. Specifically the Avoider and the Restless, in action.
The Avoider whispers:
“It’ll be easier tomorrow.”
“Let’s just clear the inbox first.”
“Do it when you’re in the right headspace.”
The Restless piles on:
“Ooh! New idea! Let’s start that instead.”
“This is boring. Let’s bounce to something more exciting.”
“Let’s multitask our way through this!”
The result?
You’re busy, but not moving.
Thinking about the task drains more energy than doing it.
And your self-trust starts to erode.
The Shift: From Avoidance to Activation
Here’s what I teach my clients when the procrastination spiral hits:
Just get the file out.
Literally. Open the document. Name the file. Scribble one bullet point.
Identify the simplest first step, the one so small it barely feels like a step.
The goal is motion, not momentum.
Break it down. Way down.
If you’re a master procrastinator, anything beyond two steps is a no.
Make it laughably doable. Don’t write the report. Open the doc. Write the title.
Visualise the finish line.
Imagine how it’ll feel when it’s done. Not the doing. But the done.
That exhale. That pride. That freedom.
Celebrate action, not outcome.
Every start counts. Every moment of focus is a win.
Reward yourself for showing up…not just crossing the finish line.
Laser-like focus.
One thing. One tab. One choice.
Your saboteurs will want to multitask and “just check one thing.” Don’t. Stay with it.
Why It’s Worse in Perimenopause
Brain fog makes focus harder.
Decision fatigue means small steps feel overwhelming.
Emotional volatility makes starting feel riskier than it is.
The Restless saboteur ramps up when you’re tired or depleted, because novelty feels safer than completion.
This is why we focus so much in the Mastermind on rewiring your response to tasks and stress.
It’s not just about productivity.
It’s about reclaiming your trust in yourself.
Win of the Week
“I used to procrastinate for days on the big stuff. Now I just start. The 2-minute rule and visualising completion has changed everything. I’ve never felt so clear and in control.”
Mastermind Client, Policy & Comms
Try This Today
Choose one task you’ve been avoiding.
Set a 10-minute timer.
Do the tiniest first action. Open the file, write the subject line, sketch the outline.
When the timer ends, notice how you feel.
Most procrastination isn’t about avoiding the task.
It’s about avoiding the feeling…and that disappears the moment you take control.
Why My Programmes Work So Well If You’re Stuck in the Spiral
Because we don’t just build better habits.
We change the mental operating system behind the habits.
You’ll:
Identify the saboteurs fuelling your avoidance.
Strengthen the Sage part of your brain that takes calm, confident action.
Build momentum that doesn’t rely on pressure or panic.
Because when you start acting from clarity instead of fear?
You don’t just get things done.
You trust yourself again.
Ready to Move From Stuck to Unstoppable?
The Leadership Reset Mastermind is opening soon!
No more guilt, pressure, or last-minute chaos.
Just powerful clarity, consistent action, and space to breathe.
